Civil service workers' big yes for political fund

Published Sat 3 Dec 2005

Issue No. 1979

PCS civil service workers’ union members have voted overwhelmingly to create a political fund. Some 80 percent of those voting were in favour.

The union will now be able to create a political fund for the first time in its history, allowing it to break free from legal restrictions that apply when a union wants to campaign on issues that are perceived as political.

The move will allow the union to step up its campaigning around election time as well as allowing it to fight far right, racist political parties more effectively.

Mark Serwotka, the PCS general secretary, said, “With this historic vote members have voted to strengthen the union’s political voice.

“The establishment of a political fund gives us the opportunity to use every avenue possible, including during local and general election periods, to protect jobs and services as we strive to improve pay and conditions for hundreds of thousands of civil and public servants.”